COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 14, 2012) - The State Election Commission (SEC) today certified partial results of the 2012 General Election. No results were certified for any offices appearing on Richland County ballots.

Under Order of the S.C. Supreme Court, Richland County election results will be certified by the Richland County Election Commission prior to noon, Friday, November 16; and subsequently, by the SEC. The SEC certification is set for 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 16.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 6, 2012) - South Carolina voters turned out today in large numbers across the state. Initial reports from precincts indicate voter turnout is likely to be on-par with the record-breaking 2008 General Election.

Voters returned approximately 400 thousand absentee ballots this year, surpassing the 2008 record of 342 thousand absentee ballots. Voters showed the same enthusiasm at the polls today, with anecdotal reports from across the state indicating heavy turnout. The State Election Commission expects total voter turnout to be similar to the record-setting 76 percent turnout of 2008. Participation may even surpass the 2008 record.

"The passion and dedication of South Carolina citizen for the electoral process was on display at the polls today," said Marci Andino, executive director of the South Carolina State Election Commission. "We're grateful to voters for their patience as they waited to cast their ballots, and we want to thank the 20,000 poll workers and election officials across the state for their tireless work to ensure that every vote counts."

A. The candidates and offices on a particular ballot will differ depending on the county and districts in which you reside. To find out what candidates will appear on ballots in your county visit www.scVOTES.org and click "General Election Candidates by County," or call your county election commission. If you don't know your districts, use the "Check Your Voter Registration" feature to find your districts first.

Q. Where do I vote?

A. At the polling place in your precinct. Your precinct and polling place are listed on your voter registration card. To ensure your polling place hasn't changed since your card was issued, check your voter registration by visiting www.scVOTES.org and clicking "Check Your Voter Registration." This feature will allow you to pull up a map from your house to your polling place.

Q. What hours will the polls be open?

A. Polling places are open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

3. Persons serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organizations (USO) who are attached to and serving with the Armed Forces outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them

4. Persons who, for reasons of employment, will not be able to vote on election day

The following are some common myths that are circulated prior to general elections:

Myth:The new photo ID law is in effect, and if you don't have one, you can't vote.

Truth: The new photo ID law will NOT be in effect on November 6th. To vote on November 6th, you must have a S.C. Driver's License, a S.C. DMV ID card, or a voter registration card. The new photo ID rules won't take effect until January 1, 2013. Even then, there are safeguards in place that allow any voter to vote on Election Day, whether they have a photo ID or not. For more on the new photo ID law, visit scvotes.org.

Myth:South Carolina has "early voting," meaning anyone can vote early for any reason.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 3, 2012) - The United States District Court for the District of Columbia today gave its approval to a new law requiring South Carolina voters to present a government-issued identification card with a photo in order to vote. Under the Court's order, the law will go into effect for elections held on or after January 1, 2013.

The new Photo ID provisions will not be in effect for the November 6, 2012, General Election.

For the rest of this year including the 2012 General Election, voters must continue to provide one of the following forms of ID to vote in person:

S.C. Driver's License

S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ID Card

S.C. Voter Registration Card

Beginning in 2013, voters will have to provide one of the following current and valid forms of photo ID to vote in person:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 3, 2012) - In less than 24 hours, more than 3,000 voters took advantage of South Carolina's new online voter registration system. The system was made available to the public at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and by 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, 3,102 applications had been submitted.

"Voter registration has never been easier, and we're pleased that citizens are taking advantage of this wonderful new opportunity," says Marci Andino, executive director of the S.C. State Election Commission. "This overwhelming response proves South Carolinians are eager to make their voices heard in November."

The State Election Commission wants to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the upcoming voter registration deadline and urge those already registered to update their information.

You must be registered by October 6th to vote in the November 6th General Election.

Voters who have moved from one county to another must be registered to vote in their new county by the deadline.

The State Senate District 41 Special Republican Primary and Runoff was held to replace the Republican Party's former nominee, Paul Thurmond. The candidate selected through this process will appear on ballots in the November 6, 2012, General Election as the Republican nominee for State Senate District 41.

Columbia, SC (October 2, 2012) - The S.C. State Election Commission today announced the launch of one of the nation's first paperless online voter registration systems, greatly simplifying the registration process and encouraging more citizens to participate in elections.

"South Carolina has made important improvements to our registration and elections process in the last decade, and we are proud to announce one of the single most important changes to the process is now a reality," said Marci Andino, executive director of the State Election Commission. "There's no waiting in line, no forms to print out, nothing to mail in. Any eligible person can register in just minutes."

Citizens must register to vote by Saturday, October 6, in order to vote on November 6, and online registration is available now to expedite the process.